Characterising the patient journey in adults with AML
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Qualitative Interview Study: Characterising the patient journey - adults with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) who are unsuitable for intensive chemotherapy
IRAS ID
270724
Contact name
Adam Gater
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Pfizer Ltd
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is a rare haematologic cancer primarily affecting older people, with a median age at diagnosis of 67 years old (Almeida & Ramos, 2016). Heterogeneity in the presentation, functional status and presence of comorbidities among AML patients presents unique challenges for treatment. Intensive chemotherapy (IC), although the best option for prolonging survival, carries a risk of early death and other trade-offs, including significant time spent in the hospital. The toxicity of IC treatment and the requirement for prolonged hospitalizations may negatively affect patients’ physical functioning and health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Novel, low-intensity treatments can be administered in the clinic and may pose less risk of immediate toxicities but may be associated with reduced efficacy. Patients may also choose to have best supportive care with no chemotherapy. Research has shown that AML patients, their relatives/friends (or informal caregivers) and clinicians often have differing perspectives and priorities, particularly in relation to treatment and end-of-life care. The objective of the current study is therefore to generate evidence, from the patient, relatives/friends and clinician perspective, to add context to the increase in overall survival, by understanding the value of increasing survival, potentially by just a few months, to the AML patients, their relatives/friends and clinicians. As part of this research, qualitative interviews with clinicians in the UK, US and Canada have already been conducted (n=10), as have interviews with patients and friends/relatives in the US (n=15). This study protocol relates to planned qualitative interviews with patients and relative/friends recruited from NHS clinical sites in the UK.
REC name
East Midlands - Leicester Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/EM/0337
Date of REC Opinion
30 Dec 2019
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion